From FAW2 to FSW2

[Tophe]

Looking at a nice picture on the wall, nicely sent by a friend here , I decided to build a plastic Sea-Vixen FAW2, and to what-if her, I planned Forward Swept Wings (FSW2, Famous Sea Wixen Mk2…)  I considered also a low tailplane, in titanium right behind the jet exhaust, to provide vertical thrust for STOL (PolluxD7 way, thanks… ).
I opened the Revell 1/72 box of mine and… problem: one frame of parts is in double, and one is lacking.

A few years ago, I would have been very sad , writing complaint  or something, but now I am a happy what-iffer, and I can handle the situation with a smile:
- which part is missing? Tailplane! All right: no tailplane, just a flying wing, with booms for the rear fins  
- which parts are in double? Wings! All right: this will be a X-wing freak (or >--< wing…) wiXen, yes!  
Maybe in one week, it may be done…

[GTX]

Looking forward to seeing the result.

Regards,

Greg

[Tophe]

One of my main problem with 1/72 planes (1/144 was not common when I bought all those kits in the 1980s-90s…) is the size which is too big , mainly the span. So everything that reduces span is positive for me . Here:
- the angle of external wings in anhedral/dihedral will reduce the horizontal span
- I have removed the little part of the main wing outside the booms on one side below:

this will reduce the span by 1 inch. The X-wings can be fixed directly on the booms, that will even be more easy to attach them, and will simplify the aspect, with forward sweep for all outside the booms  

[Tophe]

(In the frame of parts which is missing was not only the tailplane: also the canopy support, so this model cannot be perfect at all, just trying to provide me with a smile…)
On the way to completion:

Still remain to glue: the low wings, then yellow paint all, then add a black canopy, and this is all. Without putty and sanding, as this is just a very quick build, not intended to be perfect, just a therapeutic way to remind me modelism is plain fun…
 

[Tophe]

The freak is born… (thanking BlackOps' X-wing Gripen  http://www.whatifmodelers.com/forum//index...?showtopic=9567 once again...)

[Tophe]

At last, I completed the "X-wing from front" by a "X-wing from above" layout, rather than all FSW. This is the Sea-^viXen 2, simply.

[BlackOps]

Tophe, that is fantastic!  Great idea to use the Sea Vixen as an X version

Jeff G.

[Patrick H]

Cool, Love the forward/backward swept wings.



 

Patrick

[Jschmus]

Nice to see that my postcard inspired something!

[BlackOps]

You know I think this would also look really good with a rounded nose rather than the pointed nose. Seems like it would fit in with the aircrafts natural curves.


Jeff G.

[Tophe]

You are very right, while this is not further what-ifing, as the Vixen was like that at first:
(book from http://www.icarusbooks.com/hpm.htm )
But I will probably not do this change as my Sea-Xixen is a very-quick minimum-pain build, without putty nor sanding at all...

[BlackOps]

By no means did I think you should change it, just thinking out loud...And it's always good to have a minimal-pain build  For some reason everything I'm currently working on seems to need a ton of putty.


Jeff G.

[Tophe]

Just the canopies remaining to paint and glue and this will be done!

[BlackOps]

Too Cool! I love the color choice



Jeff G.

[Tophe]

The colour is pleasant while not completely what-if  see http://www.dehavilland.net/seavixen.html

I have painted the canopy. Finishing is scheduled for tomorrow evening...